Germany consistently go further than any other team. In their 18 world cups they've made it to the final 4 a total of 13 times, they've been in final match 8 times, winning it on 4 occasions. Their average placing is third, higher than Brazil's fourth. And although they've missed 2 tournaments (1930, 1950) they've never failed to qualify. They were banned from the 1950 edition, and couldn't afford to send a team in 1930.

I think Germany is full of great players, and their passing skills are fabulous!

Messi will give in and let Germany win like last time because he is weak

Germany like to make a history t Win the cord cup again! The young players are great and big possibility to have 5 stars! Must the players take care for themselve well till the cup

Recently, Brazil's Olympic dive team complemented the national team's ability to dive all over the pitch. They were very enthusiastic about the new dives the team had come up with for the 2018 World Cup. They singled out Neymar for his outstanding ability to dive!

Brazil promised to not disappoint the fans and seeing as how most fans of football loved watching them lose 7-1 in the last tournament they promised to go even further and lose either 8-1 this time around to appease the fans of the sport.

Brazil recently made the swimming pool at the Olimpiysky Sports Complex their base camp for the world cup...they stated there was no better place in Russia to practise their dives and that Neymar was beyond excited to spend the next 15 months practising his dives for the world cup.

I saw a World Cup odds sheet released today, coinciding with the field draw. England was listed as 18-1 to win it. In England's group are Belgium, Tunisia and Panama, so I think the chances of making it through group play are very good. Germany, Brazil and France are tri-favorites at 5-1. Portugal, for example, came off at 20-1. I believe Portugal won the European Championship last didn't they? In any case, I would say that England's chances are at least fair, as 18-1 is not exactly a long shot. Personally, I would like nothing more than to watch England win the World Cup, I've been impressed with their style of play since first watching the Cup in '76. I'm American, so me and my friends are in the vast minority in our love of the sport here, I doubt many here would even notice if the USA ever won the Cup (laughable I realize) Now that they haven't qualified, there is very little interest here, and that's a shame. I watched a good friend revel in Germany's last Cup victory, and it was ...more - Ned964

I'm not the sort of person to believe in fate and it's very unlikely England will win the 2018 World Cup, plus winning a World Cup isn't down to luck or coincidence, but winning a football match could well be. England are the punchline to their own joke, the performance of their football team perfectly reflects their nations sense of humour and overall attitude. Other countries seem to believe the English are arrogant football fans and that can't be more than the truth, although chants could come across big headed they have a underlying self degradence as all England fans know they can now never expect their team to "score one more than you" or even utter the words "footballs coming home" without a sense of unrealistic hope. England don't have bad players and on a good day, they can beat anyone, the problem is they haven't had many good tournament days in their 50 years since '66. Considering this and many other factors, the dreamer inside of me thinks if England can have a few very ...more

England had a very poor outing in EURO 2016 - the Iceland game was a disaster. They have a long way to go. There is no denying the ability of English players. They are good, but 'something' is missing. They do not play well in tournament football, and they have gone from manager to manager to help them improve but to no avail. They should always be considered an outside contender to watch, but that's it. They are not a top 10, but an 11 or 12 - again, outside contender, but nevertheless, still a contender. It hurts, but one can only hope that football returns home one day.

Thanks to them, without their brains.., we might used guns and swords for past time entertaiment

Not being offensive to any USA supporters but I think that the USA will find it hard qualifying never mind winning.

I am a USA fan, and your comment is not in the least offensive. In fact, thanks for being so kind. Any real fan here knows we will not win a Cup in the foreseeable future, and realistically may never win. The program is just so far behind other Countries, Europe and South America in particular. American fans are fascinated with scoring, and when they see the scores of football matches, many immediately assume that a lack of goals equals a boring match. The very few of us here that understand the nuances of the game are often frustrated by our Countrymen's indifference. What I do is just jump on the bandwagon of other Countries I admire. It's still very real and fun when my favorites win. - Ned964

Trump said America will never lose again in anything.

Maybe not the favorite to win, but I love this country and will support them in the 2018 World Cup. - Songsta41

Holland need full confidence they are number 1 team in my opinion in the world Dutch football always been the best to watch. All they need is good defenders like Stam once they got solid defense they will win games in style

I am a Germany fan all the way but I truly believe that Holland is the single team that hasn't won a World Cup, that really, really deserves it. If Germany (or my second favorite, Poland) doesn't win, I hope Netherlands wins it. They are strong with Arjen Robben and Van Persie.

If the Netherlands can even qualify ahead of Sweden, they'll surely exit in the group stage. In the past they've had some amazing sides but a failure to even make the Euros makes it obvious they won't get very far at all

All your negative comments about Portugal team is questionable and not valid. There are haters out there. I am wondering why? This team has fought hard and has been very strong the last 10 to 12 years. They've gone to the quarters, semis, and finals. They have won the Euro 2016. Why for example Italy, which is my background, is favoured to win. They had so many failed attempts and coaching has been dismal. Contes style of coaching Azzurri doesn't work! I am tired of the defensive strategy that they implement without a true plan of attack. Pirlo was a great set piece. But he is gone. Buffon is getting old.

Ronaldo will be there, but also some players coming up from the U20 and U21. By then the team will have a stronger midfield and forwards.

I do not believe in God. But if there is something, I believe it has a special plan for Ronaldo. Every time I watch him, I get a feeling that his match winning goal is inevitable. Just a feeling though

Don't ever count portugal out everyone said portugal would not when the euros and they did. Also portugal has maid the last 4 in recent years in major competition s. And portugal isn't just ronaldo there are many talented players. The euro final proved that.

They coach is very good and Mexico will be way better in 2018 because they will be able to play together better and also Mexico has Javier Hernandez

I think now that Mexico has a stable team, they should be able to win the world cup. They will become a gold team and prove everyone that didn't believe in them wrong.

Mexico has a real chance to win, if not go far, in the next world cup. Many new young players are bringing new skills to the table. They are starting to establish a playing style, and are dominating matches. Jesus Manuel Corona, Carlos Vela, Jonathan Dos Santos, Guardado, and Hector Moreno are the backbone of the Mexico National Team, and all play in some of the biggest leagues in Europe. They only lack a real world class striker, sorry Javier Hernandez isn't that, yet.

Really underrated, they have a very strong team despite the disappointment at EURO 2016. They are strong across all areas of the pitch, no weak areas in their squad. If the team work well together they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Belgium has an amazing squad and had the youngest players in the 2014 world cup and had a great run, losing to Argentina in the quarterfinals

Belgium will need a football miracle for all their individually gifted players to gel as a team. But if for some reason that does ha happens then no-one will beat them.

They have a lot of talented players, all the Belgian players are improving, hazard one of the best dribblers, lukaku is so good and by using de bryune perfect crosses he will score a lot of goals and there's mertens who transformed into a goal machine

The Contenders

11Italy

This is Buffon's last World Cup (I'm hoping that he reconsiders and plays for another 10 years). If this is going to truly be him end I want to see him go out as a champion. We just need better strikers. That is our only problem at this point. Here's hoping that Balotelli keeps up his form and continues to grow and improve.

Gigi Buffon is the best and with that defense this year Italy can go far. They just need to score more goals, take more risks!

If better strikers are found Italy will be a serious contender for a top three finish. This is true, because they rarely receive goals

Their sub-20 team shows promise as they won their South American cup, beating rivals like Argentina and Brazil. There's promise of these young guys rising up to fill in some of the roles 2 years from now. Suarez, arguably the best striker in the world, will ultimately be giving his last shot this World Cup

I think they'll be second they're already in top of the list.

Uruguay can win the third world cup in future if they host the tournament in future after all Uruguay is the greatest football team of all time in the history of fifa world cup

Well on best day Poland can beat anyone my Heart tells me they can win it all but my mind say top 4 would be fair. Whole team works hard and Lewandowski just wraps it up for them 1 men can't do it by himself. Poland has few unpolished diamonds on bench that can shine during world cup.

Lewandowski, enough said

This team is being underestimated and that's fine let them fly under the radar. After they win the World Cup all the Polish jokes can be retired.

Their unique style and dominance of the ball sets them apart. Now with experience, they might peak at the right time. A new coach with a different style will make them unpredictable and difficult to defend tactfully. The team is very balanced and they play as a team and adapt to the circumstances as the play unfolds. It seems that they all pass and seldom make mistakes. The Goalie has matured and plays for the best team Barcelona and now that they have won a tournament and they believe they can beat anyone. Most of the players have played in Europe and for the top teams, and since most of the South America teams are good unlike Europe who have too many teams that are not to par with the power house teams as Germany, England, Portugal, Spain, France and they don't usually get to play each other.

Surely this team should be at least in the top 10, best team the country has ever had, great form and they push hard and don't give up

They are a strong team with a great coach

Tough team, Vidal is a fighter and leader, Sanchez is a fighter and has inspiration, all team play matches like they are in war. not easy to beat the Chilean spirit

The team that played best football at the EURO2016 but at their own demise fell short against Portugal. If they have played their game that game they would have won the tournament. Amazing midfield and some of the most young talents in the world yet being introduced to the A team.

Croatia played really well at EURO 2016 but an unfortunate loss to Portugal 1-0 in extra time does not tell them to give up and they also have a lot of great players in there subs and starting 11 and I am Croatian so LET'S GO CROATIA!

The year Croatia separated from Yugoslavia they got 3 in the World Cup but even though they have lost good players they got new good ones

I think Ireland will definitely qualify and have a good chance of making the semi final as they have some amazing young players. They beat Italy with an amazing goal in the euros they beat Germany in the euro qualifiers and they nearly defeated the euro 2016 hosts France when the got a goal in the first minutes of the game.

I don't want to hurt or offend Irish people but I doubt will they even qualify or not, But Ireland is now-a-days better Than England.

Ireland could possibly win but they have France and Portugal and Argentina in their way